[Editors note: Quantum Computing Will Be Bigger Than the Discovery of Fire! was previously published in June 2022. It has since been updated to include the most relevant information available.]
Its commonly appreciated that the discovery of fire was the most profound revolution in human history. And yesterday, I read that a major director at Bank of America (BAC) thinks a technology that hardly anyone is talking about these days could be more critical for humankind than fire!
Thats about as bold of a claim as you could make when it comes to technological megatrends. If true, this tech could be the most promising and lucrative investment opportunity of anyones lifetime.
The directors name? Haim Israel, head of global thematic investing research at BofA.
In his words, this technology could create a revolution for humanity bigger than fire, bigger than the wheel.
What on Earth is Mr. Israel talking about?
Two words: Quantum Computing.
Ill start by saying that the underlying physics of this breakthrough quantum mechanics is highly complex. It would likely require over 500 pages to fully understand.
But, alas, heres my best job at making a Cliffs Notes version in 500 words instead.
For centuries, scientists have developed, tested, and validated the laws of the physical world, known as classical mechanics. These scientifically explain how and why things work, where they come from, so on and so forth.
But in 1897, J.J. Thomson discovered the electron. And he unveiled a new, subatomic world of super-small things that didnt obey the laws of classical mechanics at all. Instead, they obeyed their own set of rules, which have since become known as quantum mechanics.
The rules of quantum mechanics differ from that of classical mechanics in two very weird, almost-magical ways.
First, in classical mechanics, objects are in one place at one time. You are either at the store or at home, not both.
But in quantum mechanics, subatomic particles can theoretically exist in multiple places at once before theyre observed. A single subatomic particle can exist in point A and point B at the same time until we observe it. And at that point, it only exists at either point A or point B.
So, the true location of a subatomic particle is some combination of all its possible positions.
This is called quantum superposition.
Second, in classical mechanics, objects can only work with things that are also real. You cant use an imaginary friend to help move the couch. You need a real friend instead.
But in quantum mechanics, all those probabilistic states of subatomic particles are not independent. Theyre entangled. That is, if we know something about the probabilistic positioning of one subatomic particle, then we know something about the probabilistic positioning of another. That means these already super-complex particles can actually work together to create a super-complex ecosystem.
This is called quantum entanglement.
So, in short, subatomic particles can theoretically have multiple probabilistic states at once. And all those probabilistic states can work together again, all at once to accomplish some task.
Pretty wild, right?
It goes against everything classical mechanics had taught us about the world. It goes against common sense. But its true. Its real. And, now, for the first time ever, we are leaning how to harness this unique phenomenon to change everything about everything
This is why Mr. Israel is so excited about quantum computing. Its why he thinks it could be more revolutionary than the discovery of fire or the invention of the wheel.
I couldnt agree more.
Mark my words. Over the next few years, everything will change because of quantum mechanics. And some investors are going to make a lot of money.
The study of quantum theory has led to huge advancements over the past century. Thats especially true over the past decade. Scientists at leading tech companies have started to figure out how to harness the power of quantum mechanics to make a new generation of super quantum computers. And theyre infinitely faster and more powerful than even todays fastest supercomputers.
In Mr. Israels own words: By the end of this decade, the amount of calculations that we can make [on a quantum computer] will be more than the atoms in the visible universe.
Again, the physics behind quantum computers is highly complex. But once again, heres my Cliffs Notes version.
Todays computers are built on top of the laws of classical mechanics. That is, they store information on what are called bits, which can store data binarily as either 1 or 0.
But what if you could turn those classical bits into quantum bits qubits to leverage superpositioning to be both 1 and 0 stores at once?
Further, what if you could leverage entanglement and have all multi-state qubits work together to solve computationally taxing problems?
Theoretically, youd create a machine with so much computational power that it would make todays most advanced supercomputers seem ancient.
Thats exactly whats happening today.
Google has built a quantum computer thats about 158 million times faster than the worlds fastest supercomputer.
Thats not hyperbole. Thats a real number.
Imagine the possibilities behind a new set of quantum computers 158 million times faster than even todays fastest computers
Wed finally have the level of AI that you see in movies. The biggest limitation to AI today is the robustness of machine learning algorithms, which are constrained by supercomputing capacity. Expand that capacity, and you get infinitely improved machine learning algos and infinitely smarter AI.
We could eradicate disease. We already have tools like gene editing. But its effectiveness relies of the robustness of the underlying computing capacity to identify, target, insert, cut, and repair genes. Insert quantum computing capacity, and all that happens without error in seconds allowing us to fix anything about anyone.
We could finally have that million-mile EV. We can only improve batteries if we can test them. And we can only test them in the real world so much. Therefore, the key to unlocking a million-mile battery is through simulation. And the quickness and effectiveness of simulations rest upon the robustness of underlying computing capacity. Make that capacity 158 million times bigger, and cellular simulation will happen 158 million times faster.
The economic opportunities here are truly endless.
One issue I have with emerging technological breakthroughs is that theyre usually focused on solving tomorrows problems. And we need tools to solve todays problems.
But quantum computing doesnt have that focus. Instead, it could prove mission-critical in helping us solve todays problems.
Lets revisit the making of a million-mile EV.
Were amid a global energy crisis defined by soaring oil prices. As a result, were all paying $5-plus per gallon for gas. Thats unreal. And its hurting everyone.
Of course, the ultimate fix is for everyone to buy electric vehicles. But EVs are technologically limited today. On average, they max out at about 250 miles of driving range. And theyre also pretty expensive.
Quantum computing could change that. It could allow us to create a million-mile EV rather soon. And through material simulation and battery optimization modeling, itd also dramatically reduce the costs of EV manufacturing.
In other words, with the help of quantum computing, we could be just years away from $15,000 EVs that can drive up to 1,000 miles on a single charge.
Indeed, auto makers like Hyundai (HYMTF) and Volkswagen (VWAGY) are already using quantum computers to make next-gen high-performance, low-cost EVs. These are EVs that actually drive as far as your gas car and cost less than it, too!
And those are the vehicles that will change the world, not todays $70,000 Teslas or $100,000-plus Lucid (LCID) cars. The EVs that will change the world will drive 1,000-plus miles and cost less than $15,000.
Quantum computing is the key to making those EVs.
Alas, I repeat: Quantum computing isnt a science-fiction project that will help the world in 10 years. Its a breakthrough technology that can help solve the worlds problems today!
And the most pertinent application? Electric vehicles.
Quantum computing is the most underrated, most transformational technological breakthrough since the internet.
In fact, it may be bigger than the internet. As Mr. Israel said, it may bigger than the discovery of fire itself.
The first tangible, value-additive application of quantum computing technology electric vehicles.
We truly believe that quantum computing will meaningfully accelerate the EV Revolution. Over the next few years, it will help to develop new EVs that last forever and cost next to nothing.
Forget Tesla. Focus on the next wave of EV makers that will make these quantum-enabled cars.
Believe it or not, one of those companies is Apple (AAPL).
Yep. You read that right. The worlds largest company is reportedly preparing to launch an electric vehicle very soon. Given its expertise in creating home-run-hit hardware products, we think Apples EV will drive us into an electric future.
And guess what? We found a $3 stock that we believe will become the exclusive supplier of the Apple cars most important technology.
According to our numbers, it could soar 40X from current levels.
Not 10X, 20X, or 30X 40X a potential investment that turns every $10,000 into $400,000.
Needless to say, its an opportunity that you need to hear about today.
On the date of publication, Luke Lango did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.
Excerpt from:
Quantum Computing Will Be Bigger Than the Discovery of Fire! - InvestorPlace